Pneumatic dispatch tube apparatus



Oct. 18, 1932. J, NEEDHAM 1,883,844

PNEUMATIC DISPATCH TUBE APPARATUS Filed Sept. 24, 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet. 1

' INVENTOR &7? ZJVzed/mnz ATTORNEYS Oct. 18, 1932. J. T. NEEDHAM PNEUMATIC DISPATCH TUBE APPARATUS E 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 24, 192

INVENTOR fg fin ZMefim ATTORNEYS 7 Oct. 18, 1932. NEEDHAM 1,883,844

PNEUMATIC DISPATCH TUBE APPARATUS Filed Sept. 24, 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet s FL' .7 1 7 6? j J/ q 6? m 6/ (0 o J71 60' 5:3g 60 j a: I 1 J3 7 BY Q ATTORNEYS Patented Oct. 18, 1932 wag Jenn nnnni-ram or non'rn rnnrnrrnnnnnw .annsnv, nssrsnon, B MESNE ssremannrs, are PNEUMATIC TUBE surrey so. or EELAVJAEE PNEUMATIC DISPATCH TUBE APPARATUS Application filed September 24, .1929. Serial No..394,787.

This invention relates to improvements in pneumatic dispatch tube systems wherein carriers transmitted from one station to another through a tube, under pressure or a vacuum. I

Important objects of the invention are to provide an apparatus including a pneumatic dispatch tube having a series of terminals connected to it at points spaced therealong for delivering carriers to outlying stations,'and switch means to divert a carrier from said tube to any selected one of the terminals; to provide means operable at the central station for operating said switch means selectively; to render the switch means pneumatically operable; to control'the air pressure in the system by the switch-operating means; and to provide an electric signal system to indicate, at the terminal and at the central station, the arrival of a carrier at its destination.

(Ether objects of the invention will appear hereinafter.

In the drawings:

1 is a diagrammatic view of a pneumatic dispatch tube system embodying my invention; 7

l a detail sectional view of one of a series of check valves included in the system;

Fig. 2 a side "View of pneumatic switch device forming part of my invention;

Fi 3 a side view of the switch device;

O V a Fig. l a section taken on the line 4+4 of 7 9 1g. 3;

Fig. 5 a section taken on the line 55 of Fig. i;

Fig. 6 is a sectional View of a switch control device forming another part ofmy invention, the section being taken on the line 66 of Fig. 8;

Fi 7 a View similar to Fig. 6, taken on the line 7-7 of Fig. 8;

i 2 :8 a side view of the control devic with parts broken away to show the interior structure Fig.9 a diagrammatic view of the electrical circuits for the dispatch tube system;

' Fig. 10 a sectional view of one of a series of" terminal casings with an electric signal I switchattached to it;

' tube 6 has connected to it a pneumatically F 11 a side view of one of a series of carrier inlet casings with an associated electric switch; and i i' .12 a side'v-iew partly .in section showing the outermost carrier inlet and an electric switch attached to it.

vAs shown in Fig. 1, my dispatch tube system includes a central station 0 located upon one floor of abuilding, a blower B and a motor M for driving it located adjacent the central station, and pneumatic tubing connecting the blower with the central station 7 and leading through a shaft S and past a number of other floors of the building. The tubing is adapted to receive carriers, from stations at the various floors,,,for transmission to the central station and to conduct the carriers from the central station back to the outlying floor stations. The-arrangement of the system shown in the diagram is purely illustrative and may be varied to suit different requirements. Y

The tubing of the system includes .a carrier dispatching tube 1 which leads from a receiving and sending station 2 at the most remote I station, upwardly to the central station G. Here it is connected to a discharge terminal 3 and to the vacuum or suction side of the blower. At each floor the tube 1 is provided with a sending inlet dior the insertion of carriers into. the tube. These inlets are provided with airtight closure means of any suitable design. Adjacent the outermost station Zthe tube is connected to a sending inlet 5. Also included in the system is a carrier despatehing tube o for conducting carriers from the central station to the various floors. Tube 6 extends through the shaft S audits upper end is connected to a sending terminal device 7 of any suitable design located at the central station. Through said device the tube 6 is connected with a branch tubeor e 8 leading to the presure side of the blower At its lower end the tube '6 leads into .the receiving device 2 and through the latter, has 9 an air connection with tube 1 to complete an air circuit, as will be described hereinafter.

Above each floor to which carriers are to be delivered from the central station the return lUU operated switch device 9 for diverting a carrier laterally away from the tube to a terminal at the floor. The tube 6 is of sectional form and its sections are connected together by these switch devices. Each device includes a casing 10 formed at its upper end, as at 11, for connection with the tube section above it, and formed at its lower end, as at 12, for connection with the tube section below it. Adjacent the connection 12 the lower end of the casing is formed as at 13, for connection with a branch terminal tube 14. The latter leads downwardly and laterally to a terminal casing 15 accessible from the floor. The tubes 6 and 14 may be screwed into the switch casing or joined theretoin any suit able manner. Within the switch casing 10 is a switch tube 16 which extends between the upper tube connection 11 and the lower tube connections 12 and 13. At its upper end the switch tube is fixed to a short cylinder 17 formed with a transverse bore 18 into which the switch tube extends. The opposite ends of the cylinder are provided with trunnions 19 which are rotatably mounted in bearings 20 formed upon the side walls of the casing. This mounting supports the switch tube with its upper end in constant communication with the upper tube section at the connection 11. To effect a close working fit between the casing and the cylinder 17 the casing walls are curved to fit the cylinder.

In one position of the switch tube its lower end communicates with the lower section of the tube 6 at the connection 12 to direct a carrier straight along the tube 6 from one section thereof to another. In another position of the switch tube its lower end communicates with the branch tube 14 at the connection 13 to divert a carrier from the tube 6 to the tube 14 for delivery to the terminal 15. The lower end of the swinging switch tube is provided with an arcuate baffle or closure plate 1 which extends from opposite sides of the tube and is adapted to close the connection 13 when the tube is in register with connection 12 and vice versa. The opposite ends of said baffle plate pass outwardly through clearance slots formed in the casing 10 and are protected by arcuate guard casings 22 detachcasing, and by a diaphragm 27 whose edges are secured between the extension 26 and the cap 25. The diaphragm forms the inner wall of the air chamber and is capable of flexing for a considerable distance in both directions. Cap 25.is provided with a pipe connection 28 for admitting air to the chamber and exhausting it therefrom as will be described hereinafter. Fixed to a projecting end of one of the switch trunnions 19 is a crank arm 29 which depends outside of the switch casing and is provided with two oppositely extending arcuate push rods 30. These rods extend through clearance openings 31 in the casing extensions 26 and have push-and-pull connections 32 with the diaphragms 27.

When air pressure is admitted to air chamber 23 and exhausted from chamber 24 the diaphragms will be flexed to the right, with reference to Figs. 2 and 4 and, through the switch operating connections 30, 29 and 17, will rock the switch into communication with the branch tube 14. When air pressure is admitted to chamber 24 and exhausted from chamber 23 the diphragms will be flexed to the left and will cause the switch to be shifted to its normal position connecting together the sections of the main tube 6.

The switch operations are controlled by a valve-device 33 located at the central station C of the system. The structure of this device includes a casing formed of a central casting 34 and side plates 35 and 36 mounted upon opposite sides thereof. Casting 34 is horizontally elongated and rectangular in side contour and is formed with a base 37 to hold it upright. Its side faces are fiat and the plates 35 and 36 are detachably held against said faces by screws 38. Formed in one side of the casting is a substantially U- shaped channel 39 which is covered by the plate 36 and forms a manifold for leading air to a series of valves to be described presently. Channel 39 has a vertical portion 40 adjacent one end of the casting, a relatively wide horizontal branch 41 extending from said portion 40 along the casting near the upper edge thereof to a point near the opposite end of the casting, and a lower horizontal branch 42 adjacent the lower edge of the casting extending most of the length thereof and connected to the vertical portion 40. One end of the casting is formed with a pipe connec tion 43 opening into the channel portion 40.

A straight channel 44 is formed in the casting 34 extends horizontally for most of the length of the casting and is covered by the plate 36. Channel 44 lies within the U-form of the first channel 39 and is located midway between the branches 41 and 42 of the latter.

It is entirely separated from the channel. 39

and forms a vacuum chamber. The casting 34 is formed with a pipe connection 45 communicating with channel 44 and located at the opposite end of the casting from the pipe connection 43.

Formed in casting 34 is a series of cavities 46 arranged in a straight horizontal row between the channel 44 and the upper branch channel 41. Between the channel 44 and the lower branch channel 42 the casting is formed with a row of cavities 47 similar to the cavities 46 and similarly arranged directly, beneath the latter. Cavities 46and 47 open through the opposite sideofthe casting from thesa-id channels and are covered by the plate 35. They are entirely separated from each other and from the channels. Each cavity 46 has a pipe connection 48 leading through the plate35, and each cavity 47 has a pipe conmotion 49 leading through idp' a A series of vertical valve-receiving bores .50 are formed in casting 34 at points spaced therealong corresponding to the spacing of the cavities 46 and 47. Each bore extends en tirely through the casting and crosses the channels 41 42 and 44 one of the cavities 46 and one of the cavities 47 Fitted in each bore 50 for vertical reciprocation is a cylin-' drical valve'5l of slightly greater length than theheight of casting 34. The number of valves corresponds to the numberlof outlying stations in the system (live in the present instance). The lower portion of each valve is tubular and its lower end is closed by a plug 52 formed with a stop shoulder to engage the base 37 and limit the upward movement of the valve. Substantially midway its length the tubular portion of the valve is divided by a partition plug 53. Above the plug 53 the valve is formed with apertures 54 which constantly communicate with the cavity 46 which the valve crosses, Below the apertures 54 the valve is formed with apertures .55 which arepositioned to communicate with the central channel 44 when the valve is in its lower position and to be blanked by the casting 34 when the valve is in its u per position. Above the apertures 54 the valve is formed with apertures 56 which are positioned to be blanked in the lower position of the valve and to communicate with the up per channel 41 when the valve is in its upper position. Below the partition plug 53 the valve is formed with apertures 57 inconstant communication with the cavity 47 which the valve crosses. Above and below the apertures 57 the valve is formed with apertures 58 and 59. Apertures 58 are blanked when the valve is down and communicate with channel 44 when the valve is up. Apertures 59 communicate with channel 42 when the valve is down, and are blanked when the valve is up. s

A series of levers 60 for depressing the valves 51 are pivotally mounted upon the top of the valve casing. Each lever extends from its pivot 61 forwardly across the upper end of the valve and carries a roller 62 for engaging the valve end. The lever is formed with a stop edge to engage the top of the casing and limit the downward throw of the lever. There is a lever for each outlying station and. when a switch is to be thrown to die t a ca rie from t e tube .6 to .a selected Out y ng s ati n term na t e appmpriate lever'is depressed. s

It s, of u se, n essa y tha all c the switches 16 exceptthe selected-oneshould he in norm l p ti and means ar presi ed! t tom a y ensu e t is. For thi pu pose the valves 51 are formed withslqts 63 ich regi a o g h uppe hannel .41.. A Chain 64 r er-suita l tensian, strand is trained through all ,of said slots and has itsends secured as at 65 to the casing end walls. Pivotally carriedby each valve with= n its 0 is a r ll r .6 nd .p va al y m n d up t ne va 0 th channel arerollers 67 disposed between the valves-and normally below the rollers 66. The chain-64 is trained under rollers 66 and over rollersyfiti so that it defines a Zig-zag course. It has only suflicient slack to permit'one val e at atime to occupy a depressed position. When al over is thrown down to depress a valve a tension will be exerted llpon thechain which will re: store a previously depressed valve to its l'l Qle. mal or upper position.

Each timethat a valve lever-'60 isdepressed an electric circuit for the motor LI lie-closed, as will be described hereinafter, and the blower B is started, to efi'ect the pneumatic operation of the selected switch the ,pros pulsion of a carrier to its destination. The closing of the circuit is caused by a SWl-tQh 69 which includes a pair of spaced terminals 70 mounted at the outer side of plate '36 oi the valve casin and provided with upwardly extendingspring ends. The lever v6(;) c,arries n i a ed on c ,1 whi h, the is pressed position of the lever, is inserted bee tween the spring terminals'TO to electrically connect them. There is one of these switches, with its circuit connections, for each lever. The terminals are mounted upon blocks of insulation, are insulated from the plate 36 by a sheet 72 of insulation, and are housed by a guard casing 7 3 mounted upon plate The valve device 33 ispneumatically nected to the pressure side of blower B? by a pipe 7 4 which leads to connection .43 come municating with the U-shaped channel, A pipe 75 connects the device to the vacuum .nr s ion i o the bl we .tapipeconnection 45 which communicates" with channel 44. Each valve '51 of the device is pneumatically connected to the switch device 9 which it operates by a pair of pipes 76 and 77. Pipe 7 6 leads from the pipe connection 48' of the cavity 46 at the valve ,to air cham ber 24 of the switch device and pipe? 7 leads from pipe connection 49 to air chamber of the device. An electric signal system is provided toindicate simultaneously the arrival of a carrier at any one of the outlying terminals 15 both at the terminal and at the cent-ra l station. This system includes a series of answer back lamps 78 located at the central station Iii.

and corresponding in number" to the number of terminals. Adjacent each terminal alamp 7 9 is mounted and each of said lamps is connected into a circuit which includes one of the lamps 78 at the central station, and the line wires 81. Each circuit has a switch 82 at the terminal 15 to which it leads, comprising a pair of contacts 83 which normally remain separated to break the circuit. At the mouth of the terminal is pivoted a trip lever 84. One end of lever 84 projects into the path of a carrier arriving at the terminal and the other end of the lever is adapted to operatively engage one of the contacts 83. An arriving carrier rocks the lever and causes it to force the contacts together and close the circuit. This illuminates lamp 79 of the circuit to locally indicate the arrival of the carrier and also illuminates lamp 7 8 at the central station. The latter lamp indicates to an operator at the central station that the carrier has arrived at its destination, that the dispatch tube system is working properly and that another carrier may be dispatched.

In the operation of the dispatch tube system, a carrier is placed in the tube 1, t-.rough any one of the sending inlets 4, for transmis sion to the receiving terminal 3 at the central station. From the central station the carrier is transmitted to its destined outlying station through the tube 6. First the carrier is placed in the sending device 7; then an appropriate one of the valve-operating and station-selecting levers 60 is swung down. This closes the switch 69 and causes starting of the motor M for driving the blower B. The valve 51 beneath the lever is also depressed and effects a pressure connection between the blower and the switch device 9 at the selected outlying station. This connection is established through the pipe 74, the lower branch 42 of the U-shaped channel in the valve casing, the valve apertures 59 and 57, the cavity 47 and the pipe 77 which leads to air chamber 23 of the switch device. Simultaneously the vacuum or suction side of the blower is connected to the switch device by the depressed valve. This connection is established through pipe75, channel 44 in the valve casing, valve apertures 55 and 54, cavity 46 and pipe 7 6 which leads to air chamber 24 of the switch device 9. There is then pressure in the left hand air chamber 23 and vacuum, or very low pressure, in the right hand chamber24 so that the diaphragms are fiezied to the right and the switch tube 16 is swung to shift its lower end out of alinement with the tube 6 and into alinement with the terminal tube 14 for the delivery of a carrier to the terminal 15. As the carrier arrives at the terminal. it causes the closing of the signal circuit for that particular station as previously described, to illuminate the lamps 7 8 and 79 of the circuit to indicate, at both the terminal and the central station, the arrival of the carrier.

The valve 51, just operated, is returned to its upper or normal position by the subsequent operation of another valve and the pull of the chain 64, as previously described. In its upper position the valve reverses the pressure and vacuum connections between the blower and the air chambers 23 and 24 of the switch device 9. Chamber 23 is connected to the vacuum side of the blower through pipe 77, cavity 47 of the valve casing, valve apertures 57 and 58, channel 44 and pipe 75. At the same time, chamber 24 of the switch device is connected to the pressure side of the .1

blower by pipe 76, cavity 46, in the valve casing, valve apertures 54 and 56, the upper branch 41 of the U-shaped channel and the pipe 74. The pressure in the right hand air chamber 24 then predominates and 'the switch tube 16 is swung to the left by its operative connections to bring its lower end back into register with the main tube 6. A

carrier will then be directed straight along the tube 6, past the station served by this air from the pipe 6 to the various terminals,

through the pipes 85. When the air has reached the lowermost station 2, via the tube 6, it flows through a normally closed carrier receptacle 87 and thence through a short pipe 88 to the transmission tube 1 for return to the blower. The carrier inlet 5 is connected to the transmission pipe just above the juncture of the latter with pipe 88.

The inlets 4 along the transmission tube 1, and the inlet 5, are also provided with motor control switches 89. These switches and also the switches 69 are connected, by conductors 90, to a timing device indicated at T. The conductors 91 of the motor circuit also lead to the timing device and said circuit is adapted to be closed by the timer upon the operation of any one of the switches 69 or by the operation of any one of the switches 89. Each time that a carrier is dispatched from the central station or from one of the inlets 4 a switch 69 or a switch 89 respectively is closed to eifect the closing of the motor circuit through the timer and start themotor and the blower for the forced circulation of air through the sys tem.

A spring 60 is interposed between each lever 60 and the top of the valve casing. This spring serves to raise the lever immediately upon its release after a depression and therelie the blower B. After the operation of the motorfor a predetermined time its circuitis automatically brol en by'the timer. The latter may be ota standard type. It terms no part of the present invention and is therefore only diagrammatically indicated. The detail structures of the switches 82 and 89 also form no part of the invention andtheir illustration is diagrammatic; As previously described each switch 82 preferably includes a trip member which extends the terminal caslIlQ, to be struck by an arriving carrier and operated thereby to close the switches; When the carrier is" removed from casing 15 and from contact with the trip device. the switch is automatically opened by spring means. The switch 89 at the outermost inlet 5 is pretteraolv designed for operation by the inserted carriers. The remaining switches 89 may be designed for operation by the opening ofthe doors of the inlets 4. The designs of switches 82 and 89 may be varied however.

The novel pneumatic switch devices 9 and their control means enable a single trunk'line tube to serve a series ot'stations. This materially reduces the tubing required for the system.'

While I have shown and described a very satisfactory form of dispatch tube apparatus I'do notwish to be limited strictly to this disclosure but reserve the right to-make such changes. as will'lie within the scope of the claims. I

What Iclaim is:

1. In a pneumatic dispatch tube apparatus,

:7 a carrier dispatch tube switch means located at. a point in thelength of said'tube, operable to one position to directair and a carr1erpropelled thereby along-the tube and operable to another position to discharge the carrier and air fromthe dispatch tube: a branch pipe d sposed to receive the discharged carrier and air from the switch and leading to a terminal tor the delivery of the carrier thereto; and a by-pass leadinsr from said. branch pipe to the carrier dispatch tube for the return ot the air to the latter.

2; Ina pneumatic dispatch tube apparatus, ai carrier. dispatch tube switchmeans located at" a 'pointin the length of said tube, operable to one position to direct aid and a carrier propelled thereby along the-tube and operable to another position to discharge the carrier and airfrom the dispatch tube a bra ch pipe disposed to receive the discharged carrier and air from the switch and leading to a terminal for the delivery of the carrier thereto; a by pass leading-from saidbranch pipe to the car-'- rier dispatch tube for the return of the air to the latter; and a check valve in said by-pass opening toward the dispatchtube.

3; Ina pn umatic dispatch tube apparatus, a switch: devicecomprising a casing to mount between two; sections of a carrier dispatch tubea and-provided with aqconnection: for-one tubesection atone end, a connection for: the other-section at its opposite endiand anterini-nal connection adjacentthe second connection; aswitch tube pivotally mounted in; said casing with one end in constant communioa: tion-.iwith: the first tube-connection and its. other end shittable to register witheither the second tube connection-or with said terminal connection, whereby. in onev position the switchtube will direct a. carrier along thedispatch tube from onesectionto another and :in another position will :divert the; carrier from the dispatch tube to the terminal; meanstorming two. air chambers carried by the casing'at. opposite sidesotathe switch tube and eachprovided: with an airpipe connection andwitha diaphragm forming one wall of the. chamber; and operative -con-. nections-between saidtwo diaphragms and the switch tube to move the-latterto one of its-said positions when the diaphragms are flexed in one direction and tozits otherposition when the diaphragmsare flexed in the opposite ClllI'QCtlOILbY changes in air pressure in said chambers.

4C. In a pneumatic dispatch tube apparatus, a carrier. dispatchtube leadingtrom a. centralistation and formed of a. plurality otsections; a. switch device joiningsaid tube sect-ions near an outlying stationand comprising a casing provided with a connection-for one tube section at one end, a connection. for; the other opposed. tube section at its-opposite end andaterminal con nection adjacent the second connection; a switch tube pivotally'mounted in said casing with oneend in constant communication withthe first tube connection and the, other end shiftable to register with either the secondtube connectionor with said terminal connection, whereby in one position the switch tube will direct a carrier along the dispatch-tube from one section to another and in another position. will divert'the carrier from the dispatch tube tov the terminal; means forming two air chambers at opposite sidesof-the switch tube each provided. with a shiftable wallz; operative connections between the two shittable chamber. walls and the switchtube; a pair of pipes, one leading to each chamber; and means. operable. at the central station to simultaneously establish a suction connection with one pipe and chamher. and a pressure connection with the other pipe and; chamber, in one adjustment, to

shift the switch tube to one otits positions 7 and in another adjustment to reverse said suction and pressure connections to shift the switch tube to its other position.

5. In a pneumatic dispatch tube apparatus, a. carrier dispatch tube leading from a central station; a plurality of terminals connected to said tube at spaced points therealong; switch means between the dispatch tube and each terminal to divert a carrier means to cause the blower to supply air pres- 6' sure to the dispatch tube for propelling a carrier therethrough.

6. In a pneumatlc dispatch tube apparatus a carrler d1spatch tube leadmg from a central station; a plurality of terminals connected to said tube at spaced points therealong; switch means between the dispatch tube and each terminal operable to permit the passage of a carrier along the tube past the terminal or to divert it from the tube to the terminal; operating means at the central station to operate said switch means selectively; a blower; a connection between the blower and the dispatch tube to supply air to the latter; an electric motor to drive the blower; a circuit for said motor; and means controlled by said switch-operating means to open and close the motor circuit.

7. In a pneumatic dispatch tube system including a carrier dispatch tube leadingfrom a central station, a plurality of outlying terminals connected to said dispatch tube; a plurality of terminal selectors at the central station each adapted to be manually operated to cause the delivery of a carrier through the said dispatch tube to a selected terminal; and means to automatically restore a previously operated selector to its normal nonselective position when a succeeding selector is operated.

8. A station selector for a pneumatic dispatch tube system including carrier dispatch tubing leading from a central station to a plu rality of terminals, a blower to supply air pressure and an electric motor to drive the blower; said selector comprising a valve casing; a valve shiftably mounted in the casing and adapted in one position to establish a pneumatic connection for the delivery of a carrier to a selected station; manually operable means to shift said valve; and circuitclosing means operated by said valve-shifting means to close the motor circuit and coordinate the air supply with the station selection.

9. A station-selecting device for a pneumatic dispatch tube system comprising a casing; a plurality of air valves shiftably mounted in said casing; an air pressure chamber in the casing communicating with the valves; a suction chamber in the casing communicating with the valves; pipe connections, two for each valve, carried by the casing, the valve being adapted in one position to place one pipe connection iii-communication with the low pressure chamber and the other with the high pressure chamber and in another position to reverse said communications; manearly operable means to shift each valve; circuit-closing means operated by each valveshilting means; and means towautomatically restore a previously operated valve to normal position when a succeeding valve is operated.

10. A pneumatic dispatch tube apparatus comprising a carrier dispatch tube leading from a central station; aplurality of terminals connected to said dispatch tube at points soaced therealong; pneumatically operated switch means between the dispatch tube and each terminal, operable to permit the passage of a carrier along the tube past the terminal or to divert a carrier from the tube to the terminal; a blower; a terminal-selecting device at he central station pneumatically connected to the blower and to the various switch means and adapted to be manually operated to cause an operation of any selected one of the switch means.

11. pneumatic dispatch tube apparatus comprising an outgoing carrier dispatch tube leading from a central station to a distant station; a plurality of terminals connected to said dispatch tube at points spaced therealong; pneumatically operated switch means between the out-going dispatch tube and each terminal operable to permit the passage of a carrier along the tube past the terminal or to divert a carrier from the tube to a selected terminal; a blower connected to theout-going dispatch tube for the delivery of air pressure thereto; a return carrier dispatch tube connected to the outlying end of the out-going v dispatch tube at the distant station and leading to the central station and connected to the suction side or" the blower; inlets in said return tube for the insertion of carriers; a terminal-selecting device at the central station pneumatically connected to the pressure and suction sides of the blower; a carrier switch means at each terminal in the outgoing dispatch tube; a separate pair of pressure and suction pipes connecting each switch means to said terminal selecting device; and manually operable means to establish pneumatic connections between the blower and the said pressure and suction switch operating pipes for operating any selected one of the switch means.

12. In a pneumatic dispatch tube system, a carrier dispatch tube leading from a central station to a plurality of outlying terminals; an electric lamp at each terminal; a plurality of lamps at the central station, one lamp for each of said outlying terminals; electric circuit means for said lamps at the said terminals and at the central station; and cir cuit-closing means at each terminal adapted to be operated by a carrier upon its arrival at the terminal to illuminate the terminal lamp and its corresponding lamp at the central station, whereby the arrival of the carrier at the terminal will be indicated both nesegsae at the terminal and at the central station.

13. In a pneumatic dispatch tube apparatus, a'switch device comprising a casing to mount between two sections of a carrier dis-- patch tube and provided'with a connect on for one tube section at one end a connection for the other tube section at its opposite end and a terminal connection adjacent the second tube connection; a switch tube pivo'tally mounted in said casing with one end in constant communication with the first tube connection and its other end shiftable to register with either the second tube connection or with the said terminal connection, whereby in one position the switch tube will direct a carrier along the dispatch tube from one section to another and in'another position Will divert a carrier from the dispatch tube to the terminal; means forming an air chamber carried by the casing at one side of the switch tube and provided with an air pipe connection and with a diaphragm forming one wall ot the chamber; and an operative connection between said diaphragm and the switch tube to move the latter to one of its said positions when the diaphragm is flexed in one direction and to its other position when the diaphragm isflexed in the opposite direction by changes in air pressure in said chamber.

l l In a pneumatic dispatch tube apparatus a switch device adapted to be mounted between two sections of a carrier dispatch tube and comprising a switch tube pivotally supported with its receiving end in constant communication with one tube section and its delivery end shiftable into and out of register with the other tube section, whereby in one position the switch tube will direct a carrier along the dispatch tube from one section to another and in another position will divert a carrier from the tube for delivery; means forming an air chamber supported adjacent the switch tube and provided with an air pipe connection and with one wall mounted to shift in response to changes in air pressure in the chamber; and an operative connection between said shittable wall and the switch tube to move the latter to one of its positions when the wall is shifted in one direction and to its other position when the wall is shifted in the opposite direction- 15. In a pneumatic dispatch tube apparatus a carrier dispatch tube leading from a central station and formed oft a plurality of sections; a switch device joining said tube sections near an outlying station and com prising a casing provided with a connection for one dispatch tube section at one end, a connection for the other opposed tube section at its opposite end and a terminal connection adjacent the second connection; a switch tube pivotally mounted in said casing with one end in constant communication with the first tube connection and the other end shiftable to register'with either. the second tube connection or with said terminal connectiomwhereby in one position the switch tube will direct a carrier along the dispatch tube from one section to another and in another position will divert the carrier from the dispatch tube tot-he terminal; means forming two air cham here at opposite sides of the switch'tubeeach provided with a shiftable wall; operative connections between the shiftable chamber walls and the switch tube; a pair'of pipes, one leading to each chamber; and meansat the central station operable to one position to simultaneously establish a suction connection'with one pipe and chamber-and a pres sure connection with the other pipe and chamber'to shift the switch tube to one of its positions and operable to another position to reverse said suction and pressure connections to shift the switch tube to its other position.

16. In a penumatic dispatch tube apparatus, a carrier dispatch tube leading'from a central station and formed of a plurality of sections; a switch device joining said tube sections near an outlying station and com prising a casing provided with a connection for one tube section at one end, a connection for the other opposed tube section at its op posite end and a terminal connection adjacent the second connection;'a switch tube pivotally mounted in said casing with its receiving end in constant communication with'the first tube connection, its delivery-end being shiftable to register with either the secondtube connection or with said terminal connection, whereby in one position the switch tube will direct a carrier along the-dispatch tube from one section to another and in another position will'divert the carrier from the dispatch tube to the terminal; means forming an air chamber at one side ofthe switch tube provided with a shiftable wall; operative connections between the shiftable chamber wall and thegswitchtube; a pipe leading to the chamber; and'means at. the central station operable to one position to establish a suction connection with said pipe and chamber to shiftthe switch'tube to one of its positions and operable toanother position to establish a pressure connection to said position. I i

17-. In a penumatic dispatch tube apparatus, a carrier dispatch tube-leading froma centralstation a plurality of terminals connected to said tube at spaced points therealong; switch means between the dispatch tube and each terminal to divert a carrier from the tube to the terminal; operating means at the central station to operate said switch means selectively; a blower; and means controlled by said switch operating means to cause the blower to supply air pressure to the transmission tube for a predetermined time for propelling a carrier there through. 1 I

chamber to shift the'switch tube to its other FIDO isc

tube and each terminal operable to permit the passage of a carrier along the tube past the terminal or to divert it from the tube to the terminal; operating means at the central station to operate said switch means selectively; a blower; a connection between the blower and the dispatch tube to supply air to the latter; an electric motor to drive the blower; a circuit for said motor; a timing means for said motor; means operated by said switch-operating means to start the timing means and close the motor circuit; and means operable by the timing means to open the motor circuit.

19. A station-selecting device for a pneumatic tube apparatus comprising a plurality of station-selecting members each shiftable between a station-selecting position and a non-selecting position; a handle for each of said members for shifting it to station-selecting position, said handle being mounted to return to normal position independently of the selecting members; switch means operable by each handle to close an electric circuit controlling the air circulation in the tube system when the handle is operated for station selecting; means to automatically return each handle to normal position independently of its companion station-selecting member when it is released, to break said circuit; and means to automatically return a previously-shifted station-selecting member to non-selecting position when a handle is operated to move another selecting member to selecting position.

20. In a pneumatic dispatch tube system, a dispatch tube line; a plurality of switch devices spaced along said line and pneumatically operable individually from a remote point to divert carriers from the line at different stations; a pneumatic control device at said remote point for selectively operating said switch devices including a plurality of switch selectors each shiftable between a switch-operating position and a position to cause the return of the operated switch to normal position, and means to automatically return an operated selector to non-selecting position when another selector is shifted to selecting position; and pneumatic operating connections extending between said selectors andthe respective switch devices for operating the latter. 7

21. In a penumatic dispatch tube system, a dispatch tube line; a plurality of switch devices spaced along said line and pneumatically operable individually from a remote point to divert carriers from the line at different stations, a pneumatic control device at said remote point for selectively operating said vswitch devices including a plurality of switch selectors each shiftable between a switch operating position 'and a position to cause the return of the swltch to normal position;

and pneumatic operating connections extending between said selectors and the respective switch devices for operating the latter.

22. A station-selecting device for a pneumatic dispatch tube apparatus comprising a plurality of station-selecting members each shiftable between a station-selecting position and a non-selecting position; a flexible tension strand operatively connected to said selecting members, having a limited slack permitting only one member to occupy a stameans operable by each handle to close an electric circuit controlling the air circulation in the tube system when the handle is operated for station-selecting; means to automatically return each handle to normal position independently of its companion stationselecting member when it is released, to break said circuit; and a flexible tension strand operatively connected to the station-selecting members, having a limited slack permitting only one member to occupy a station-selecting position at a time and serving to automatically return said member to non-select- 111g position when another member is shifted to selecting position.

24. A pneumatic station-selecting and switch operating device for a pneumatic dispatch tube apparatus comprising a plurality of station-selecting and switch-operating valves each shiftable between a station selecting position and a non-selecting position; a handle for each of said valves for shifting it to station-selecting position, said handle being mounted to return to normal position independently of the shifted valve; switch means operable by each handle to close an electric circuit controlling the air circulation in the tube system when the handle is operated for station selecting; means to automatically return each handle to normal position independently of its companion station-selecting valve when it is released, to break said circuit; and a flexible tension strand operatively connected to the stationselecting valves, having a limited slack to permit only one valve to occupy a stationselecting position at a time and serving to I so .lLl.

automatically return saidvalve to non-selecting position when another valve is shifted to selecting position.

.25. .In a pneumatic dispatch tube apparatus, a dispatch tube line; a switch-device atan intermediate point zin the line pneumatically operable to divert carriers from the line; a switch-controltdevice ata point remote from said switch device operable to causeshifting-of-the switch to divert a'car 'rier and shifting otthe switch back to normal position; and -avpneumatic operating connection extendlng between sald control device and sald swltch device foroperating the latter.

switch; vand a .by-passleading from said terminal connection to the dispatch tube'for the returnof the vair .to the latter.

27.1n a pneumaticdispatch tube apparatus, a carrier dispatch tube; a switch device located at a point in the length of said tube, operable to one position to direct air ing station; ielectrlcscircult means for said signalextendingftojthe outlyingstation; and Y circuit-closing means at the outlying sta- 7 .tion directly operable by a carrierupon its arrivalthereito immediately close the circuit s and a carrier propelled therebyalong .the tubeand operable tozanotherposition to dischargethe carrier andairfromthe dispatch tube;.a terminal connection disposed to receive the discharged carrier and air from the switch; alloy-pass leading .from said terminal connection to the dispatch ,tnbejfor .the

returnof the air tosthe latter; and a check valve'insaid bypass opening toward the dispatch tube.

28. A switch device for a pneumatic dispatch tubeline comprising a casinghaving a carrier inlet at one end for connectionto a dispatch tube. section and a pair of laterali ly offset carrier outlets at its opposite end for connection, one to a dispatch tube section and the other to a terminal connection; a i

switch tube within said casing having a trunnion support holding one end incommunication with said inlet and adapting the tube to swing to registerits oppositeend with either of said outlets; a crank arm fixed to said trunnion; means forming an air chamber including a diaphragm forming one'wall of the chamber; and an operative connection between said diaphragm and said crank for swinging the switch tube'in I p to and from a. normal position ;.and .a flexible valve-returning tension strand trained ,for operative connectlon wlth sald valves and opresponse to changes in air pressure insaid ihamber. l

29. In a pneumatic dispatch tube system, a carrier dispatchtube leading from acentral station and connected to a plurality of outlying stations for delivery of carriers thereto; a plurality of electric signals at the central station, one signal for each outlying station;-electriccircuit means for said sig nals extending to the outlying stations and rcircuit closing means at each outlying station directly operable by .acarrier upon-its arrival to immediately close the circuit of the appropriate signal to indicate at the central station the arrival of a carrier at the Y outlying station.

-:30. In a; pneumatic. dispatch tube system, a carrier dispatch vtubeleading from a centra l station. and connected to a plurality of outlying stations :tor delivery of carriers thereto selectively; an. electric signal ateach outlying station a plurality of electric ,signals at xthecentral station, \one signal for each outlying station; electric circuit means for said signals at a. the outlying. stations and those atthe central station; andcircnit-closing means at each outlying station operableby a carrieruponits-arrival at the outlying station to close :the circuitofithe signalhat said point andof the corresponding signal at the central station, whereby .,.the arrival" ofa carrier will be indicated both at theroutlying station and atothecentralstation. i

'31. lnapneumatic .dispatch tubesystem, V

a carrierdispatch tube leading .from a carrierdispatching stationand connectedito an outlying station for delivery of carriers thereto; -..an. electric signal atsaid .fdispatchofthe signal to indicate at .thedispatching station wthearrival ota carrier .atthe ioutlying station.

32. Inca ipneumatlc dispatch tube .appara- I 1311s, a dispatch tube; a switchat, a point along the tube shi'ftable to a position to diverta carrier from thetube and shiftable .back to normal positionforthepassage of a carrier along the tube; pneumatic operating means forsaid swltch comprising; means forming an air chamber including asdiaphra-gm forming one wall of saidchamber; an operative connection between said diaphragm and :the

switch to cause shifting otthe switch-byfiex- Hrs of the diaphragm;a,pneumatic connec- 7 tion leading from ,a remote point to said chamber and means operable at-saidremote .point to varythepressurein saidchamber through said pncumaticconnection, to flex the diaphragm.

33. A fluid pressurecontrolfdevice comprising a plurality: of valves each v shiftable erative to automatically restore a previously shifted valve to normal position when an other valve is shifted out ofnormal position.

34. A control device comprising apluralautomatically restore a previously shifted control member to normal position when another control member is shifted out of normal position.-

35. A control device comprising a plurality of control members each shiftable to and from a normal position; a flexible tension strand; pulleys training said strand for operative connection with said control mem-V here, the strand having a limited slack to permit only one control member to occupy a position out of normal at a time and to automatically restore a previously shifted control member to normal position when another control member is shifted out of normal position.

36. A dispatch apparatus comprising a dispatch line; a plurality of switches at points spaced along the line individually operable from a remote point to divert carriers from the line; a switch control device at said remote point for selectively operating said switch devices including a plurality of switch selectors, one for each switch and shiftable for operating its respective switch; operative connections between said selectors and the respective switches to shift each switch to diverting position in one position of its selector and to normal position in another position of its selector; and means to autoznatically restore a previously operated selector to normal position when another selector is operated to switch-selecting position, to ensure that only one switch at a time will be in diverting position.

37. A pneumatic dispatch tube apparatus comprising a dispatch tube line; a plurality of switches at points spaced along the line and individually operable from a remote point to divert carriers from the line; a switch control device at said remote point for selectively operating said switch devices including a plurality of manually operable switch selecting valves, one for each switch and shiftable for operating its respec- LlVe switch; means to establish pneumatic operative connections between said valves and the respective switches to shift each switch to diverting position in one position of its selecting valve and to normal position in an 7 other position of its selecting valve; and.

means to automatically restore a previouslv operated selecting valve to normal position when another selecting valve is operated to switch-selecting position, to ensure that only one switch at a time will be in diverting posit on.

38. Apneumatic dispatch tube apparatus, comprising a dispatch tube line; a plurality of switches at points along the line and iiidividually operable to divert carriers from messesthe line; means for selectively operating said switches; and means to automatically restore a previously operated switch to normal po-- sition whenanother switch is operated to carrier-diverting position.

39. In a pneumatic dispatch tube apparatus, a dispatch tube line, a pneumatically op erable switch device including a switch at an intermediate point in the line shiftable to divert carriers from the llne and shiftable to anon-diverting position; a switch control device at a point remote from the device and including a shiftable valve; means cooperable with said valve in one position thereof to establish a pneumatic connection with said trol device at a point remote'from the device and including a manually operable valve de- VLCG; means cooperable with said valve device in one operation of the latter to establish a pneumatic connection with the switch device to shift the switch to carrier-diverting position; and means cooperable with the valvedeviee in another operation thereof to establish a pneumatic connection with the switch device to shift the switch to non-diverting position.

41. In a pneumatic dispatch tube apparatus, a carrier dispatch tube, a sending terminal, a plurality of receiving terminals connected to said tube at spaced points there- A along, switch means associated with each receiving terminal to divert carriers from the tube to such terminals, means for operating said switch means, actuators at the sending terminals for said switch operating means, one actuator for eachreceiving terminal, and means controlled by each actuator for setting up a carrienpropelling flow of air through the tube whereby a carrier may be sent to any desired receiving terminal.

42. In a pneumatic dispatch tube apparatus, a carrier dispatch tube having a send: i g terminal; means operable to divert a carrier from said tube at an intermediate point thereof; actuator means for said carrier-diverting means operable at said sending terminal; and means controlled by said actuator means for setting up a carrier-propelling flow of air through the tube.

43. In a pneumatic dispatch tube apparatus, a carrier dispatch tube having a sending terminal;means operable to divert a carrier from said tube at an intermediate point thereof; actuator means for said carrier-diverting means operable at said sending terminal; an electrical circuit controlled by said actuator means; and means operable by said circuit for setting up a carrier-propelling flow of air through the tube.

4-4;. In a pneumatic dispatch tube apparatus, a carrier dispatch tube having a sending terminal; means operable to divert a carrier from said tube at an intermediate point thereof; an actuator means for said carrier diverting means operable at the sending terminal; an electrical circuit controlled by said actuator means; and means operable by said circuit for setting up a carrier-propelling flow of air through the tube, the actuator means being operable to simultaneously close said circuit and cause the operation of said diverting means for carrier diversion.

45. In a pneumatic dispatch tube apparatus, a carrier dispatch tube having a sending terminal; means operable to divert a carrier from said tube at an intermediate point thereof; an actuator means for said carrierdiverting means manually operable at the sending terminal; an electrical circuit controlled by said actuator means; means operable by said circuit for setting up a carrier-propelling flow of air through the tube, the actuator means being operable to simultaneously close said circuit'and cause the operation of said diverting means for carrier diversion; and means to automatically open said circuit when the actuating means is manually released.

46. In a pneumatic dispatch tube apparatus, a carrier dispatch tube; means operable to divert a carrier from said tube at an intermediate point thereof; a manually operible actuator means for said carrier-diverting means; and means controlled by said actuator means for setting up a carrier-propelling flow of air through the tube.

47. In a pneumatic dispatch tube apparatus, a carrier dispatch tube; means operable to divert a carrier from said tube at an intermediate point thereof; and actuator means operable at a point remote from said intermediate point to operate said diverting means for carrier diversion and to set up a carrierpropelling flow of air through the tube.

48. In a pneumatic dispatch system having at least three stations and means for set ting up a flow of carrier transporting air in said system, a switch housing containing a movably mounted transit tube section, a transit tube connecting one of said stations to said switch housing, said tube being at all times in alignment with one end of the tube section in the housing, transit tubes connecting two other said stations to said housing, the free end of the tube section therein being normally in alignment with the tube associated with the second station to connect the first and second stations pneumatically;

means for shifting-said tube section to bring its end into alignment with the tube asso up'a flow of carrier tr-ansporting'air insaid system, a-switch housing containing a movably'mounte'd'transit tube section, atransit tubefcen'ii'e'cting one of said stations tosaid switch housing, s'aid'tube being at all times in 'alig-nmentwith one end of the tube section in'the housing, transit tubes connecting two other said stations to said housing, the freeend of the tube section therein being normally in alignment with the tube associated with the secondstation to connect the first and second stations pneumatically, means for shifting said tube section to bring its end into alignment with the tube associated with the third station, and a by-pass by which the first and second stations are pneumatically connected and through which air flows when the tube section is shifted out of its normal position, said by-pass joining the third station and the tube associated with the second station.

50. A pneumatic dispatch system-comprising a central station and an outstation, each station including a dispatch terminal and a delivery terminal, two transit tubes each connecting a dispatch terminal of one station with a delivery terminal of the other station, and means for setting up a flow of carrier transporting air through said tubes and one of said stations, one of said tubes comprising lengths and switching housings connecting said lengths, delivery terminals and transit tubes connecting each terminal with a switch housing, each switch housing including a movable transit tube section which in one position is in alignment with the lengths connected by the housing and in another position is in alignment with one such length and with the transit tube leading from the housing to a terminal, and means for moving said section into the desired position, and a by-pass connecting the terminal to the length with which the tube section is in alignment in one position only whereby when the tube section is in alignment with the transit tube the air will flow through said by-pass and terminal between the central station and the outstation.

51. A pneumatic dispatch system comprising a central station and an outstation, each station including a dispatch terminal and a delivery terminal, two transit tubes each connecting a. dispatch terminal of one station with a delivery terminal of the other station, and means for setting up a flow of carrier transporting air through said tubes and one of said stations, one of said tubes comprising lengths and switch housings connecting said lengths, delivery terminals and translt tubes connecting each terminal W1th a swltch houszing, each switch housing including a movable transit tube section which is normally in alignment with the lengths connected by the housing and is abnormally in alignment with one such length and with the transit tube I leading from the housing to a terminal, and

means for moving said section into and out of the normal position, from and to the abnormal position, and a by-pass connecting the terminal to the length with which the tube J section is in alignment in its normal position only, whereby when the tube sectlon 1s moved into the abnormal position the air will flow through said by-pass and terminal between the central station and the outstation.

In testimony whereof I hereunto afiiX my signature.

' JOHN T. NEEDHAM. 

